Yves Louise

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

ABOUT YVES LOUISE

Yves Louise (pronounced \"eve\") is a San Francisco-based creative strategist who thrives at the intersection of design thinking and business innovation. She specializes in translating complex business challenges into clear, actionable strategies. Her approach combines strategic rigor with creative intuition, helping clients uncover their unique market position and develop distinctive brand voices that cut through the noise. Yves brings this same thoughtful approach to questions of sustainability and process optimization, recognizing that the most impactful solutions often arise from questioning established norms. Born in Italy to an Italian mother and Black American father, her multicultural perspective has been shaped by years of absorbing different artistic and cultural traditions from the many places she lived and traveled through in her formative years. This lens informs her work with entrepreneurs seeking to create meaningful impact through thoughtful design. Currently pursuing the MBA in Design Strategy at California College of the Arts as an All-College Honors recipient and Merit Scholar, Yves approaches each project through the lens of systems thinking and sustainable innovation. Her work spans from developing go-to-market strategies for emerging entrepreneurs to leading digital communications for municipal initiatives, including SFMTA\'s APEC 2023 project. Recent collaborations include developing the AI Values Canvas with AI ethicist Olivia Gambelin, product innovation with Silicon Valley tech leaders, and building comprehensive brand strategies for businesses spanning the industries of fashion design, hand crafting, DEI consulting, and coaching services. In 2023, after dedicating over a decade to fashion design, including six years at Gap Inc. where she led key product initiatives in menswear, Yves made a pivotal shift. Recognizing the need for more sustainable and thoughtful business practices in creative industries, she founded her own creative agency. As the force behind Not Just a Studio, she partners with entrepreneurs and organizations to uncover their fullest potential through strategic positioning, compelling brand narratives, and innovative go-to-market strategies. Beyond client work, Yves explores the intersection of community and strategy and her love of artisanal cheese through Board of Paradise, a project that brings people together through curated food experiences. This initiative reflects her belief that the most innovative solutions often emerge from creating spaces where people can connect, learn, and share perspectives.